French authorities have launched an inquiry after recent reports of risk of cancer due to certain toothpaste additives. A recent report suggested that additives used to whiten teeth, commonly added in some toothpastes and chewing gums, could be linked to precancerous lesions in rats. The research team fed the additive to lab mice rats for 100 days. It was found that nearly 40 percent of rats suffered from precancerous lesions.

The study was conducted by research team from France and Luxembourg. The study team fed rats with additive called E171 for 100 days. The team found that the additive inhibited immune system response. It led to accelerated growth of lesions among rats, the team claimed.

In the recent years, tooth whitening toothpastes have become popular. The research team added that E171 is added in many toothpastes and chewing gums. E171 is also used in cake icing and it was approved by the U.S. FDA is year 1966.

After the research appeared in a prominent journal, the French authorities have initiated an inquiry into the matter. The agency will file its report by the end of March.

The study team said, “E171 contains nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, a naturally occurring metal oxide. It is one of the five nanomaterials most commonly used in consumer products, including food, paints and cosmetics.”

The results of the current study have been published in the Nature journal published by Scientific Reports.